The care home sector – a forecast for 2008

The year ahead is likely to see three or four key trends influencing activity which will create a subtle change to the landscape of the last few years. We will see development activity increase, with most corporate operators now setting out a programme of growth through addition of new assets. This is driven by limited suitable acquisition targets, a general flight to quality by both providers and purchasers of care and also a reluctance to buy in mid-market quality at top market prices.

Larger operators are now taking a longer term view which is not simply